Incánus

Etymology

Although Incánus seems to be of unclear language and meaning, a note in the Thain's Book says it is a Quenya form simply adapted from a word in the tongue of the Haradrim: Inkā-nūsh (or possibly Inkā-nūs), meaning "North-spy".[6]

Other versions of the Legendarium

J.R.R. Tolkien several times changed his mind about the meaning of Incánus. Besides the etymology given above, his other variations were:

Inspiration

Incánus in Latin means "grey-haired". Although Christopher Tolkien has noted that the "coincidence in form" might be an "accident",[6] his father wrote "Incánus Latin" in a later published manuscript,[8] suggesting that the similarity was perhaps more than a coincidence.

Tharkûn

Tharkûn, the name given to Gandalf by the Dwarves.[10]Tharkûn is Khuzdul, meaning either "Grey-man"[8] or "Staff-man"[11]. The word possibly derives from the unattested word thark "staff" + a nominal ending -ûn.[12] In a draft manuscript of The Lord of the Rings, occurs the spelling Sharkûn.[13]

Láthspell

History

Attempting to keep Théoden weak, Gríma pointed out that Gandalf always seemd to appear in the land of Rohan at times of hardship or war, bearing ill tidings. Gríma's strategy - to get Gandalf denied access to the King - did not succeed, for Gandalf broke his hold over Théoden, and he soon found himself exiled from Edoras.[15]

Other versions of the Legendarium

In an earlier drafts, it is actually Théoden who refers to Gandalf as Láthspell.[16]

Etymology

Láthspell translates to "ill news" in Old English which comes from láð meaning "causing hate, evil, injury" and spell meaning "story, message".[17] Compare with Gospel which means the opposite: "good news".